Petty Obama Criticism

December 23, 2009|Heather Jurist, Boca Raton

I lived and worked in Japan for several years and completely disagree with Noelle Nikpour's opinion of President Obama's actions in greeting the Japanese Emperor Akihito. The Japanese do not instinctively shake hands as a greeting; they bow to each other. However, when they greet a foreigner who begins to shake hands, the normal salutation is a blending of hand-shaking and bowing. This combined action is perfectly acceptable and not at all clumsy.

Will people just give President Obama a break? Can we have just one day without petty criticism?